Turkey bombards SDF-held areas in northern Syria

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Turkish army and its Syrian proxies attacked the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in several villages in northern Syria on Wednesday, according to local sources.

Turkey began bombarding Ain Issa in northern Raqqa province early Wednesday,  according to the North Press Agency. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that clashes erupted between both forces in Sayda village near Ain Issa.

“According to SOHR sources, the clashes, which lasted for hours before the sneaked [sic] groups withdrew, left casualties on both sides. Six Turkish-backed militiamen were killed, while five members of Asayish Forces were injured, some seriously,” said the UK-based monitor group, referring to Kurdish local security forces. 

Hawar News Agency (ANHA), a media outlet close to the SDF, reported late Wednesday that Turkey launched an attack on Sidon village in Ain Issa but was repelled by the SDF.

Ain Issa, located in Gire Spi (Tal Abyad) district in northern Syria, is partly controlled by the SDF. 

Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring against the SDF in October 2019, controlling Gire Spi and Sari Kani (Ras al-Ain) before reaching ceasefire agreements with Russia and the USA. 

However, it has regularly bombarded SDF-held areas since then.